How to Fix and Prevent Cakey Makeup
Say goodbye to flat, cakey makeup.
If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that cakey makeup is never a good look. Separation and patchiness can occur for a number of reasons, but typically, it's a result of not applying the products correctly. After you’ve spent your precious time meticulously applying your makeup, the last thing you want to do is have to take it all off and begin again. Thankfully, you don’t have to—there are ways to fix cakey makeup without starting from scratch.
If you’re tired of asking yourself, “Why does my foundation look cakey?” or “Why does my makeup separate?” keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain what can cause a patchy, uneven makeup application and share our top tips for fixing—and preventing—cakiness. Your path to a flawless makeup application lies ahead.
Hi everyone, I'm Lisa Jauregui and today I'm going to show you how to get a flawless, full coverage foundation routine that doesn't look heavy or cakey. Using all products from L'Oréal Paris. Let's get started. Flawless foundation really starts with the right skin prep, skin prep and skincare is really the foundation to your foundation. So let's start there. Now I'm going to take it a step further beyond just moisturizing and prepping the skin for makeup. And I'm actually going to talk about exfoliation. Exfoliating the skin is a step that is so important. If you want your skin to be at its optimal and ideal state, to be the perfect canvas for makeup. Exfoliating really helps you not only improve the brightness and tone of your skin, but also the texture of your skin. So first we're going to start with the L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Exfoliant Peel. now the way you want to use this product is you want to shake it from side to side before applying it. Then you want to apply a thin layer over the skin and let it sit for 15 minutes. This product gently exfoliates the skin, is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It has a combination of AHA, BHA and PHA. This helps with post acne marks. It helps brighten the skin tone and invisibly improve the texture and tone of the skin. So I'm going to apply this all over the skin. I'm going to let it sit for about 15 minutes, and I'm going to go rinse it with some lukewarm water. Now I'd recommend using the Bright Reveal Exfoliant Peel just a couple of times a week. You can automatically see the skin is glowing and brighter, and it just has this really nice natural glow to the skin. This is after one use. I haven't applied any other products. Next we're going to go in and hydrate and plump the skin. I'm using the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer. And what I love about this moisturizer is it's a nice, rich moisturizer. It has vitamin C, hyaluronic acid in it, and pro retinol. And I like to apply this liberally all over the face. This is going to help plump the skin. This helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It firms the skin and it just makes the skin feel so hydrating and so supple, which is what you want for foundation. Just before applying your foundation, you don't want to apply foundation on dry skin. You want the skin to be freshly hydrated and plump. I love this product because you can use this at night like it's a rich enough moisturizer to work as my PM moisturizer, but it also pairs really well under makeup. Look at that. Oh, the skin already feels plump. I got an additional glow to the skin. I am getting ready for foundation and the last step in my skin prep routine is the Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum. I love this product. It is perfect for makeup prep. I love the applicator. It's very cooling. It helps depuff. There's actually not only hyaluronic acid in this product, there's also caffeine, which is known to help with dark circles and deep puff under the eye. I also like to give myself a little massage underneath the eye to just kind of help depuff that area. I just go back and forth, back and forth. This is going to help with crow's feet, fine lines around the eye. It's going to instantly pluff and it's lightweight. So it's perfect for right before concealer. The skin underneath our eyes tends to be the driest part of our face. It also tends to be the most delicate of our skin, and it's the first place that we really show signs of aging. Our expression lines. We smile all the time, so those fine lines can be more visible when you're applying makeup. So you want to make sure that you apply the right product to prep that under-eye area. I like to just kind of tap it in with my finger and get it ready for concealer. Before we go in with foundation, I'm going to prime the skin and I'm using the L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion, and I am using the shade Light Glow. now this is a skin enhancer. It's a very versatile product. You can use this in so many ways. Today, I'm going to be using it as a primer. You can actually mix this in with your moisturizer if you want a little bit more of a subtle glow, you can wear this on top of or underneath makeup. You can mix this with your foundation. I'm using it directly on top of my moisturizer to prime the skin for foundation and to give a little bit more luminosity to the skin. What I love about this product is it just gives you this beautiful, lit from within glow to the skin. With highlights, it reflects light. Do you see that beautiful glow? But it's not overly shimmery or it's not going to accentuate texture. It's such a refined, beautiful, beautiful natural glow. You can use the lighter shades to highlight, or you can use the darker shades to warm up or bronze the skin. And I just like to apply it with my fingers all over. You've probably seen this product. It's a very viral product. It also has glycerin and shea butter, so it's very moisturizing and hydrating to the skin. So it's not only going to give the appearance of a glow, but it's actually going to help hydrate the skin and add more hydration to the skin, which is so important when you are trying to achieve a very like, natural looking foundation base. What tends to lead to a heavy, cakey look is when the skin is not properly prepped either it's dry, we haven't addressed the texture on the skin, so in all the steps that we've just done, we've hydrated the skin, we've addressed texture. So we truly have the best canvas for foundation. For foundation, we are going in with one of my favorite foundations. This is the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation. And oh my gosh, where to start with this foundation? I love everything about it. This offers medium to full, buildable coverage, and I really love when I see foundations that are buildable because that tells you that you can get a lighter coverage or a more full coverage without it looking heavy or cakey. This foundation is extremely lightweight. It's very breathable on the skin. It doesn't feel heavy, it doesn't look heavy. It has extreme longevity. It's a 32 hour wear. I like to start in the center of my face, and I just kind of press my brush and bounce it over the skin. This is going to help me build coverage, right? I'm building coverage and I'm blending out. When you're trying to get more coverage from your product, use this technique where you're just pressing or stippling the brush onto the skin. If you're trying to shear out or get a more natural, lighter blend, then use larger stroking motions across the face. You can see that this foundation is giving exceptional coverage. You can still see the glow from underneath my skin. It looks very natural. My skin can breathe through this. I'm not using more product than is needed. And that is the key to getting a really natural, flawless base without looking heavy or cakey. If you notice, I'm really taking my time to bounce my brush over. What I'm doing is any excess product, I'm just kind of lifting it up with the brush at this point. You can also take a damp beauty sponge after you've applied your foundation and do the same technique, just pressing it into the skin to absorb any excess. That's kind of my favorite little makeup artist hack. Okay, so as you can see, the skin looks very natural, but very even. Do you see, if you look at this side of the face, it's not even obvious that I have makeup on. I just have a very flawless complexion. But when you compare the two sides, you can definitely see that this is the foundation free side. You can see little more imperfections. Discoloration. We're here. The skin is flawless but still looks very natural. I really love this foundation for so many reasons. Again, I love how lightweight and natural it looks, yet you still get full coverage if you want it. You can get a good medium to full coverage. I love the longevity of this foundation. It's a foundation that I can apply in the morning, and I don't have to worry about touching up a lot throughout the day. I can trust that my foundation is going to look fresh and natural all day long. I also love the spreadability of it. It's very easy to spread across the face since it's so thin and lightweight, so you don't need to use a lot of product. It just blends into the skin and just looks so natural. I love the combination of this foundation with the glotion. It's the perfect way to get a subtle glow without looking overly shiny and just have a healthy looking complexion. Oh, that's so beautiful! And the last step in my complexion routine to get a flawless full coverage base is the Infallible Full Wear Concealer. And I love this for so many reasons. Just like the foundation for full coverage, but a natural matte finish. It's very creamy, which is perfect for underneath the eye because again, it's going to be easy to blend underneath the eye. It's not going to look heavy or cakey. And again, I just use a small amount with this product. I use a little bit in the inner corner, and I use a little bit in the outer corner. And I like to kind of lift the eye. If you notice, I kind of pull up rather than taking the wand and applying it completely underneath the eye, I just apply a little in the inner corner, a little in the outer corner because honestly, this is enough product to give me full coverage. This has a very natural matte finish. It's creamy, so it blends out beautifully. It is full, full coverage you guys. So you are going to cover everything with this product. And I also like to do concealer last. If you noticed, I applied my foundation first because what I find is concealer is our most pigmented product. It is the one product in our makeup routine that has the most coverage, most pigment. It's just the more heavier by nature product. It is designed to be full coverage, right? So if I started with concealer, I might have used concealer in areas that I didn't need it because my foundation would have covered it alone. So that's my one little pro tip to you is do your foundation first and then do your concealer last, because you will find yourself using less concealer. And I think one of the things that leads to a heavier cakier look is just simply using more product than is needed. I like to get away with using as little as possible. I always tell people I might wear a lot of products, meaning I might have 20 different products on my face, but the goal is to have little bitty layers of each of those products. Now, if you notice, I'm just kind of pressing my concealer brush underneath the eyes, similar to how I applied the foundation. I'm doing the same technique. So first I like to kind of spread the inner and outer corner. Then I like to go and press. So by spreading it, I'm getting that coverage underneath the eye completely. By pressing it, I'm getting the most coverage I can from this product, and I will just tap, tap, tap to where about 90% blended out. If you find that you have excess product like I think I do now, I'm going to take my brush and I'm just going to dry clean it. I'm just kind of running it over a dry, gentle towel just to remove any excess product. Then I will sweep any of that inner corner on the lid to even out the lid, and I just continue to tap underneath the eye just to make sure all the concealers blended out. And I've absorbed any excess concealer so I don't have to worry about it migrating or settling into fine lines. Another thing I love about this concealer is that it does set to this beautiful natural matte finish. So even though it's creamy and texture, it sets really nicely underneath the eyes so you don't have to worry about it moving or migrating into fine lines. So that is my complexion routine. I'm going to go do the rest of my makeup and I'll be right back. So now that all our makeup is on, we have one last step. And you don't want to skip this. This is the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Setting mist. And this is magic. I have never come across a makeup setting spray as good as this one. It is magic, you guys. All you want to do is spray it all over the makeup. Just a few seconds. Let it dry for like three seconds, 3 to 5 seconds. Just kind of let it dry. Once it dries, it makes your makeup completely transfer proof. Waterproof sweat proof. It is magic. And there you have it. If you want to learn more about these products or shop them, head to lorealparisusa.com. I'll have links down below. Thanks for watching.
Why Does My Makeup Look Cakey?
As mentioned above, cakey makeup often results from improper makeup application (applying liquids on top *of powders is one prime example). But that’s not the only thing that can cause your makeup to appear blotchy or uneven. We’re breaking down some of the most common causes of cakey makeup.
1. Dry skin
If your skin is on the drier side (or you’ve skipped skin prep), your skin may feel rough or uneven. Applying makeup on top of this uneven base can, naturally, result in a patchy makeup application. Exfoliating and moisturizing before applying makeup can smooth your skin and help ensure a more even, uniform makeup application.
2. Applying too much product
Piling on thick layer after thick layer of foundation, concealer, and powder, is a recipe for cakiness. It’s like oil painting —the more you add, the more textured it’s going to appear. If you plan to wear a full face of makeup and want to avoid a cakey foundation, apply your products in thin, even layers and let each layer dry and set before proceeding with the next step in your routine.
3. Using incompatible products
You’re probably aware that oil and water don’t mix. The same principle applies to makeup: when layered on top of one another, differing formulas can separate, resulting in a patchy, uneven application. To help avoid cakey makeup, it’s a good idea to double-check that everything you’re using has the same base. Most makeup is either water-based or silicone-based, and a look at the ingredients label should give you a clear idea of which base your product has (silicone-based products typically feature “dimethicone” or another ingredient ending in “-one” as one of the first two or three ingredients; water-based makeup products don’t).
4. Environmental factors
If you’ve prepped your skin well, applied thin layers of product, and chosen complementary formulas, and still find yourself wondering, “Why does my makeup look patchy?” the weather may be to blame. High humidity and extreme heat cause you to sweat more, making your foundation break down and clump together. On the other hand, low humidity and cold weather can cause the skin to dry out and become flaky. Your foundation can then cling to these dry patches, resulting in a cakey, patchy appearance.
4 Tips for Fixing Cakey Makeup
We all make makeup mistakes from time to time. A common question is how to fix cakey makeup. If you end up with cakey makeup, don’t panic, and please don’t break out the makeup remover—instead, try these four tips to help fix your look fast.
1. Spritz your skin with a face mist
Face mists are your number one beauty fix for cakey makeup. It only takes a few seconds to spritz your face, and the moisture can help “melt” your foundation into your skin. When picking a face mist, be sure to choose one with a formula compatible with your makeup (again: water-based if you opted for water-based foundation; silicone-based if you use silicone-based makeup). Be sure to use a light hand when misting your face—you don’t want your face to be wet, just slightly damp.
2. Blend out patchy areas
If your makeup looks patchy, try blending out the uneven areas with a makeup sponge. Start by misting your face to dampen your makeup, then lightly tap the sponge onto your skin to help blend out the uneven areas. If you don’t have a face mist on hand, you can dampen the sponge instead (remember that less is more: it should be slightly damp, not dripping wet).
3. Loosen with steam
Steam can help loosen up stiff, caked-on makeup, making it easier to blend evenly. If you’re finding that some areas appear cakey, consider boiling or microwaving some water and placing your face a foot or so above the steam for a minute. The heat and moisture can help break down the makeup so you can blend it out for a smoother-looking finish.
4. Blot excess oil
Excess oiliness can cause your makeup to separate—which, too, can result in a cakey makeup look. To help prevent separation and minimize shine, reach for blotting sheets. These little papers help absorb excess oil to give your skin a more matte, even appearance. When using blotting sheets, you’ll want to press them onto oily areas, rather than rub—the latter approach can disrupt your base makeup and make it look more uneven.
6 Ways To Avoid Cakey Makeup
Knowing how to fix cakey makeup is useful, but understanding how to prevent patchiness is even better. Here are six things you can do to help ensure a flawless makeup application.
1. Prep your skin
Before applying your makeup, you’ll want to make sure your skin is clean and hydrated—simply moisturizing can go a long way in preventing cakey makeup. Start by washing your face as usual; try ourL’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser, which gently exfoliates and cleanses your skin.
Then, apply a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Water Cream—it’s water-based, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly, making it perfect for use under makeup.
Once your moisturizer is fully absorbed, layer on a face primer to help provide grip for your base makeup. Our hero product for this is L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. This viral TikTok favorite is lightweight. It also works as an illuminating moisturizer and is infused with glycerin and shea butter. It is a luminous primer available in 5 shades to better adapt to the color and undertones of your skin.
Have questions about this article? Ask me! I'm Beauty Genius, your AI Beauty Assistant.
2. Choose the right foundation for your skin type
The best makeup for dry skin isn’t necessarily the best for those with oilier complexions, or vice versa. Picking the right makeup for your skin type can go a long way in helping to keep cakiness at bay.
In general, we recommend those with drier skin opt for hydrating yet non-greasy formulas. The L’Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glow Skin Tint is an excellent pick—it’s made with an 82% hydrating serum and leaves the skin looking glowy and fresh. For those who prefer a more skin-like finish, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation. The medium-coverage formula is oil-free, non-comedogenic, and provides a seamless, natural-looking finish.
Those with oilier skin, meanwhile, may want to opt for matte foundations. We suggest trying the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder. The weightless formula covers like a liquid but mattifies like a powder without leaving the skin looking patchy or cakey. Bonus: it’s sweat-proof, heat-proof, and waterproof.
3. Use the right tools
An artist is only as good as their tools. How you apply your makeup matters, and the makeup brushes you use can determine whether the result is flawless makeup or cakey makeup. Instead of using your fingers, we recommend reaching for a designated foundation brush or makeup blender for a smooth, non-cakey finish. If you use a dense brush to apply your foundation, that could also be why your makeup looks cakey and heavy. Instead, switch to a stippling brush with less finely packed bristles to create a lighter look.
Once you’ve got your brushes, it’s important that you wash them every couple of weeks to remove makeup buildup, oils, and bacteria. This is not only for hygiene reasons but also to avoid cakey makeup and ensure a more even makeup application.
4. Choose the right concealer
Concealer tends to be a bit thicker and fuller coverage than foundation, which makes it especially prone to settling into fine lines and becoming cakey. If you’re using concealer, we suggest opting for a lightweight, hydrating option, which can help offset dryness and keep cakiness to a minimum. We love the L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer, which offers a medium-coverage finish and boasts a hydrating formula that won’t crease or settle into fine lines. Use only as much as you need to camouflage discoloration and blend well to help prevent a cakey makeup application.
5. Use a light hand
As mentioned earlier, using too much product is one of the biggest culprits of cakey makeup. With all of your products, it’s best to use a light hand and build up the coverage as needed. Remember, you can always add more product as needed—but removing product (without starting your look from scratch) isn’t as cut-and-dry.
6. Finish with setting spray
If you’re looking to prevent cakey makeup, setting spray is one of the most useful products to have in your makeup bag. These face mists—sometimes called finishing sprays—help “lock” makeup into place, extending wear and preventing your products from melting, transferring, or moving around. For the best results, look for a formula specifically designed to minimize cakiness, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist. This innovative formula helps extend makeup wear for up to 36 hours and prevents caking, cracking, and flaking for all-day flawless makeup wear.
7. Apply thin layers of product
If you want to avoid cakey makeup, applying products in thin layers is key. Start with a small amount of foundation and build coverage gradually. This ensures a smooth, natural finish without overloading your skin.
Use a damp sponge or a brush to blend the product seamlessly into your skin, pressing gently for a flawless finish. This technique helps avoid streaks and uneven textures, creating a radiant, well-blended look. Remember, less is often more when it comes to achieving a fresh, flawless appearance.
8. Avoid over-powdering
Always be mindful of how much powder you use. Focus on applying powder only where you really need it—typically the T-zone for oily skin. This keeps your complexion looking fresh without adding extra layers. For a seamless finish, you’ll also want to opt for a finely-milled powder, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder, which blurs, brightens, and helps control shine for up to 24 hours.
Before applying, always tap off the excess powder from your brush. This simple step ensures a light, even application and prevents over-powdering, which can lead to a heavy, matte finish. The goal is a smooth, natural look that lets your skin breathe.
Next Up: What's The Difference Between Setting Powder and Setting Spray?
Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
